Alstroemeria plant named &#39;tesindig imp&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Alstroemeria  plant named ‘Tesindig imp.’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; relatively short flowering stems; sturdy and strong plants; moderately vigorous growth habit; numerous large purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Alstroemeria hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘TESINDIG imp.’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant, botanically known as Alstroemeria hybrida, grown typically as a potted garden Alstroemeria, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Tesindig imp.’.

The new Alstroemeria plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new potted garden Alstroemeria plants with numerous attractive flowers and flower continuously during the flowering season.

The new Alstroemeria plant is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Tesindig’, not patented. The new Alstroemeria plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within a population of plants of ‘Tesindig’ in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands in June, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Alstroemeria plant by root divisions in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands since September, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Alstroemeria plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Tesindig imp.’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Tesindig imp.’ as a new and distinct Alstroemeria plant:

-   -   1. Broadly upright plant habit; relatively short flowering         stems.     -   2. Sturdy and strong plants; moderately vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Numerous large purple-colored flowers.     -   4. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the mutation parent, ‘Tesindig’. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ from plants of ‘Tesindig’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria are larger and more vigorous         than plants of ‘Tesindig’.     -   2. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have larger leaves than plants         of ‘Tesindig’.     -   3. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have larger flowers than         plants of ‘Tesindig’.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Tesmach’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,266. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Alstroemeria differ primarily from plants of ‘Tesmach’ in flower color as plants of ‘Tesmach’ had red purple-colored flowers. Additionally, flowers of the new Alstroemeria had more stripes than flowers of ‘Tesmach’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new Alstroemeria plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Alstroemeria plant. The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical flowering plants of ‘Tesindig imp.’ grown in a container.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used for the aforementioned photograph and following observations and measurements were grown during the winter and early spring in 24-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Kudelstaart, The Netherlands. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 15° C. and night temperatures averaged 12° C. Plants used in the photograph were 15 weeks old and plants used for the description were 22 weeks old. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Tesindig imp.’. -   Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Alstroemeria     hybrida ‘Tesindig’, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By root divisions.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About seven             weeks at temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About eight             weeks at temperatures about 16° C.         -   Root description.—Fibrous and fleshy; thick to thin;             typically white in color, actual color of the roots is             dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and             physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.         -   Rhizome length.—About 12.3 cm.         -   Rhizome diameter.—About 3 mm.         -   Rhizome texture.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Rhizome luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Rhizome color.—Close to 8D. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; broadly             upright plant habit with relatively short flowering stems,             flattened globular; freely branching habit with about 21             primary lateral branches developing per plant; sturdy and             strong plants; moderately vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 20 cm.         -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 40.8 cm. -   Lateral branch description:     -   -   Aspect.—Mostly upright to outwardly spreading.         -   Length.—About 13 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 8 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 7 mm.         -   Strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Luster.—Moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Close to 144A to 144B; with development, color             becoming closer to 148A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; below the peduncles in a single             whorl; simple.         -   Length.—About 6.2 cm.         -   Width.—About 2.9 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate to narrowly ovate and elliptic; twisting.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Surface faces             downwards; close to 137C to 137D. Developing leaves, lower             surface: Surface faces upwards; close to between 141A and             143A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Surface faces             downwards; close to 137C; venation, close to 144A. Fully             expanded leaves, lower surface: Surface faces upwards; close             to N137A; venation, close to 144A.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.9 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm by             5 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous.             Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Slightly glossy. Color:             Close to 144A. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single zygomorphic flowers arranged             in terminal umbels; flowers face mostly outwardly to             slightly upright; perianth segments separate; freely             flowering habit with about ten flowers per inflorescence and             about 90 flowers developing per plant.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about eight             weeks after planting; flowering continuous from summer into             the autumn in The Netherlands.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About ten days; flowers not             persistent.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3.4 cm. Diameter: About 1.1 cm.             Shape: Narrowly obovate. Color: Close to 145C and 149D;             towards the apex, close to between N79B and 202A; towards             the base, close to 143C.         -   Umbel height.—About 10.7 cm.         -   Umbel diameter.—About 15.2 cm.         -   Flower diameter (horizontal).—About 6.6 cm.         -   Flower length (vertical).—About 6.5 cm.         -   Flower depth (height).—About 6.8 cm.         -   Perianth.—Arrangement: Six arranged in two whorls, each             whorl with two lateral and one median segments. Size, inner             perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.8 cm. Width,             lateral segments: About 2.4 cm. Length, median segment:             About 5.6 cm. Width, median segment: About 2.4 cm. Size,             outer perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.2 cm.             Width, lateral segments: About 3.5 cm. Length, median             segment: About 6.5 cm. Width, median segment: About 3.6 cm.             Shape, inner perianth, lateral and median segments:             Oblanceolate. Shape, outer perianth, lateral and median             segments: Obovate. Apex, inner perianth, lateral and median             segments: Abruptly acute. Apex, outer perianth, lateral and             median segments: Emarginate. Base, inner perianth, lateral             and median segments: Narrowly cuneate. Base, outer perianth,             lateral and median segments: Long cuneate. Margin, inner             perianth, lateral and median segments: Entire. Margin, outer             perianth, lateral and median segments: Towards the apex,             finely serrate; towards the base, entire. Texture, inner and             outer perianths, lateral and median segments, upper and             lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety. Luster,             inner perianth, lateral and median segments, upper surface:             Dull. Luster, inner perianth, lateral and median segments,             lower surface: Slightly glossy. Luster, outer perianth,             lateral and median segments, upper surface: Matte. Luster,             inner perianth, lateral and median segments, lower surface:             Moderately glossy. Color, inner perianth: When opening,             lateral segments, upper surface: Distally, close to 77A;             apex, close to N79B; proximally, close to NN155A; spots,             close to N186C. When opening, median segment, upper surface:             Close to 77A; apex, close to N79B; towards the base, close             to N78B. When opening, lateral segments, lower surface:             Distally, close to 77A; proximally, close to between 156C             and 186D. When opening, median segment, lower surface: Close             to 77A; apex, close to N79B; towards the base, close to             N78B. Fully opened, lateral segments, upper surface:             Distally, close to N818; towards the apex, close to N79C;             proximally, close to NN155C; spots, close to between N186C             and 202A; color becoming closer to N82A to N82B with             development. Fully opened, median segment, upper surface:             Close to N81B; towards the apex, close to N81A; color             becoming closer to N82A to N82B with development. Fully             opened, lateral segments, lower surface: Distally, close to             N81A to N81B; towards the apex, close to 77A; proximally,             close to N81C. Fully opened, median segment, lower surface:             Close to N80B; towards the apex, close to N80A. Color, outer             perianth: When opening, lateral and median segments, upper             surface: Close to 77A; apex, close to N79A to N79B; towards             the base, close to 77B to 77C. When opening, lateral and             median segments, lower surface: Close to 77A; center, close             to N79B; apex, close to 203B. Fully opened, lateral and             median segments, upper surface: Close to N82A; apex, close             to N79A to N79B; towards the base, close to N81C; color             becoming closer to N82B and towards the apex, close to N79B             with development. Fully opened, lateral and median segments,             lower surface: Close to N82A; apex, close to N79A to N79B;             towards the base, close to N81 C.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Angle: About 30° from stem             axis. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to 146A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Six.             Filament length: About 3.7 cm. Filament color: Close to             N80B; towards the base, close to 150D. Anther shape: Oblong.             Anther length: About 8 mm. Anther color: Close to 197B.             Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 198A.             Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About             4.5 cm. Style length: About 4 cm. Style color: Close to             N82B; towards the base, lighter than N82B. Stigma shape:             Tri-parted; parts, club-shaped, curved. Stigma color: Close             to N81A. Ovary color: Close to 138B with ribbing, close to             N186A.         -   Fruits and seeds.—Fruit and seed development have not been             observed on plants of the new Alstroemeria. -   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Alstroemeria plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have been     observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate high     temperatures of about 35° C. and to be hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone     8. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tesindig imp.’ as illustrated and described. 